Drilling pin holes

[bioprof]

Just wondering if any of you know of any tricks for preventing the wood from splintering at the exit hole when drilling holes for pins in stocks. The entry hole usually turns out well, but I noticed a ragged hole at the exit end. Can you put masking tape or something on the exit side to prevent this from happening?

 

Make sure your bits are sharp. When I drilled mine the fore stock was still unshaped and square with lots of extra wood waiting to be removed so any bit of raggedness would have been eliminated during the final shaping process. I did find that gently working the drill press slowly up and down reduced the uglyness of the exit wounds. Most people also know to clamp the stock and barrel down to the press during this operation. I did not and still only busted one drill bit off in the hole :curse: I'm sure that more experienced builders will soon offer you even better advice, I just happen to be up late :snore:

 

[GobblerKnob]

Bioprof - Tape would work, but I try to place a block of wood under where the bit will exit. This tends to keeps the wood from splintering. Of course, :results:
Rick

 

[Birddog6]

Use a Drill point jig. Drill half way, turn it ofer & drill the other way & meet the two holes in the middle. Then carefully work the tow
holes all the way thry with the drill bit.

:thumbsup:

 

[GobblerKnob]

Birddog ~ Do you have plans for that jig? I seem to remember seeing it discussed somewhere, but don't recall where.

 

you could also use a smaller drill bit to drill a pilot hole then drill for both sides.

 

[Birddog6]

No, I don't have any plans, I made it 30 years ago from a homemade "C" clamp. You can buy one similar from Cains Outdoors (MSM) and they advertise it in MuzzleBlasts. I would buy one for $ 39.95 or whatever it cost than the hassle of making it & the drill pilots.\\ :imo:

Here is what mine looks like.

:results:

 

[riarcher]

Just clamp a piece of wood to the "off-side", let the drill work it's own way through (clearing frequently). Them simple clamps that look like jumper cable ends work just fine,,,, as long as you let the drill feed it's self. And if you can dampen the off-side first, it is like added insurance.

 

[GobblerKnob]

Thanks, Birddog. I'll look for it there.

 

[bioprof]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. :master: I think some of these ideas go into the "why didn't I think of that" category. :thanks: